Newsday Crossword hints and answers for October 20, 2026
A hint and the answer for every clue, each behind its own button. Nothing is revealed until you tap.
Clues78
Across39
Down39
TitleLAST IS FIRST
Today’s Newsday Crossword clues, hints & answers
Every clue from this puzzle with a hint and the answer behind separate buttons, so you only see what you need. Click a clue for its own page.
Across
•
Swindles (out of) (5)
Starts with B, ends with SBILKS→
•
Swiss mountains (4)
Starts with A, ends with SALPS→
•
Shade trees (4)
Starts with E, ends with SELMS→
•
"__ you cute!" (5)
Starts with A, ends with TARENT→
•
Gather, as crops (4)
Starts with R, ends with PREAP→
•
Yuletide season (4)
Starts with N, ends with LNOEL→
•
More sensible (5)
Starts with S, ends with RSANER→
•
Cold-cuts department (4)
Starts with D, ends with IDELI→
•
Medicinal amount (4)
Starts with D, ends with EDOSE→
•
Tried hard (10)
Starts with E, ends with DENDEAVORED→
•
Letters like PDQ (4)
Starts with A, ends with PASAP→
•
Part of MPG (3)
Starts with P, ends with RPER→
•
Author Hemingway (6)
Starts with E, ends with TERNEST→
•
Parmesan or cheddar (6)
Starts with C, ends with ECHEESE→
•
Bit of parsley (5)
Starts with S, ends with GSPRIG→
•
Trumpet or bugle (4)
Starts with H, ends with NHORN→
•
Leaf-gathering tool (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERAKE→
•
Southern pie nut (5)
Starts with P, ends with NPECAN→
•
"All kidding __..." (5)
Starts with A, ends with EASIDE→
•
Espionage org. (3)
Starts with C, ends with ACIA→
•
Wear away (5)
Starts with E, ends with EERODE→
•
Happen again (5)
Starts with R, ends with RRECUR→
•
Group of cattle (4)
Starts with H, ends with DHERD→
•
Theme of the puzzle (4)
Starts with E, ends with SENDS→
•
Formal ceremonies (5)
Starts with R, ends with SRITES→
•
Least polite (6)
Starts with R, ends with TRUDEST→
•
Less messy (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTIDIER→
•
Lion or leopard (3)
Starts with C, ends with TCAT→
•
Biblical paradise (4)
Starts with E, ends with NEDEN→
•
Donations to colleges (10)
Starts with E, ends with SENDOWMENTS→
•
Boxing locale (4)
Starts with R, ends with GRING→
•
Island near Oahu (4)
Starts with M, ends with IMAUI→
•
Rigoletto or Carmen (5)
Starts with O, ends with AOPERA→
•
Dirt for planting (4)
Starts with S, ends with LSOIL→
•
"__ sesame!" (4)
Starts with O, ends with NOPEN→
•
South Korea's capital (5)
Starts with S, ends with LSEOUL→
•
Television award (4)
Starts with E, ends with YEMMY→
•
Pied Piper followers (4)
Starts with R, ends with SRATS→
•
Moral principle (5)
Starts with T, ends with TTENET→
Down
•
Bottom of a pedestal (4)
Starts with B, ends with EBASE→
•
Nation bordering Iraq (4)
Starts with I, ends with NIRAN→
•
Give temporarily (4)
Starts with L, ends with DLEND→
•
Leg joint (4)
Starts with K, ends with EKNEE→
•
Handbag handles (6)
Starts with S, ends with SSTRAPS→
•
Strong devotion (5)
Starts with A, ends with RARDOR→
•
Impolite look (4)
Starts with L, ends with RLEER→
•
White as a sheet (4)
Starts with P, ends with EPALE→
•
Miss Muffet frightener (6)
Starts with S, ends with RSPIDER→
•
Placed at risk (10)
Starts with E, ends with DENDANGERED→
•
Off the leash (5)
Starts with L, ends with ELOOSE→
•
Flat-topped elevations (5)
Starts with M, ends with SMESAS→
•
Took a nap (5)
Starts with S, ends with TSLEPT→
•
Change course suddenly (4)
Starts with V, ends with RVEER→
•
Ready for harvesting (4)
Starts with R, ends with ERIPE→
•
Burn slightly (4)
Starts with C, ends with RCHAR→
•
Hydrant attachment (4)
Starts with H, ends with EHOSE→
•
Viking explorer (4)
Starts with E, ends with CERIC→
•
In a permanent way (10)
Starts with E, ends with YENDURINGLY→
•
Planes fly through them (5)
Starts with S, ends with SSKIES→
•
Bartlett or Bosc (4)
Starts with P, ends with RPEAR→
•
Muscle discomfort (4)
Starts with A, ends with EACHE→
•
Funnel shape (4)
Starts with C, ends with ECONE→
•
Throws in (4)
Starts with A, ends with SADDS→
•
Hatchling's home (4)
Starts with N, ends with TNEST→
•
A Great Lake (4)
Starts with E, ends with EERIE→
•
Do sketching (4)
Starts with D, ends with WDRAW→
•
Slight quake (6)
Starts with T, ends with RTREMOR→
•
Maximum effort (6)
Starts with U, ends with TUTMOST→
•
Using few words (5)
Starts with T, ends with ETERSE→
•
Figure of speech (5)
Starts with I, ends with MIDIOM→
•
Jeans fabric (5)
Starts with D, ends with MDENIM→
•
Dimes and nickels (5)
Starts with C, ends with SCOINS→
•
California wine region (4)
Starts with N, ends with ANAPA→
•
Song for two (4)
Starts with D, ends with TDUET→
•
Fencing sword (4)
Starts with E, ends with EEPEE→
•
Gas in some store lights (4)
Starts with N, ends with NNEON→
•
Factual (4)
Starts with T, ends with ETRUE→
•
Pretzel seasoning (4)
Starts with S, ends with TSALT→
How to solve the Newsday Crossword
Fill the 15x15 grid so every Across and Down answer matches its clue. The title at the top hints at the theme. Our answer pages list every clue in order with its answer behind a reveal button, and link to a page for each individual clue.
Want the full method? Read our Newsday Crossword strategy and tips, or check how to play the Newsday Crossword on the hub.
Newsday Crossword tips for tomorrow
- Use the title. Newsday puzzles are titled, and the title nearly always explains the theme entries.
- Know the pseudonyms. Puzzles by "Lester Ruff" are easier; "Anna Stiga" is Stan again, backwards, and tougher.
- Expect the Stumper to be brutal. Saturday clues are deliberately vague. Fill short words first and let crossings carry you.
Done for today? Try LA Times Crossword, NYT Crossword, USA Today Crossword, all with hints first and answers behind a reveal.
Previous Newsday Crossword puzzles
Newsday Crossword FAQ
How many clues are in the Newsday Crossword for October 20, 2026?+
78 clues: 39 Across and 39 Down. The puzzle was constructed by Sally R. Stein.
What are some answers in today’s Newsday Crossword?+
For example: Swindles (out of) (BILKS); Swiss mountains (ALPS); Shade trees (ELMS).
Who makes the Newsday Crossword?+
It is edited by Stan Newman, who also constructs many of the puzzles under pseudonyms.
Where can I find past Newsday Crossword answers?+
Every puzzle in our archive has its own page with all answers and a page per clue.
